A Celebration of Hope, an annual fundraiser held the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, raises hundred of thousands of dollars to benefit children and adults who find hope at the Regional Rehab Center in Tupelo, MS.

The event is held at the Barnes' Crossing Mall in Tupelo, MS, and televised on WLOV starting at 1 p.m. Peggy and singer Paul Thorn are there every year to help answer the phones. To make donations during the telethon, tune in. All other times, call the Regioinal Rehabitation Center on Pegram Drive at 662-842-1891.

Brenda Novak’s Annual Diabetes Auction has raised more than $500,000 to benefit diabetes. Go to www.brendanovak.com to bid on Peggy’s book bag filled with signed copies of her novels, including Elvis and the Dearly Departed, Elvis and the Grateful Dead and other fabulous gifts from the Elvis Birthplace in Tupelo, MS.

Arizona Basset Hound Rescue is hosting the Basset Ball 2009 to benefit abused, neglected and abandoned Basset Hounds. Held Sept. 19 in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Basset Ball celebrates the 10th anniversary with over 1,000 dogs saved. Go to www.azbassetrescue.com to bid on items in their online auction. Peggy’s book bag filled with goodies, including a signed copy of her Southern Cousins Mystery starring the Basset Hound who thinks he’s the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll will be among those items offered either online or in the live and silent auctions.

To further support rescue efforts, shop at www.zazzle.com/azbassetrescue for some really neat Basset gift items.

Faith in Practice’s life-changing medical missions to Guatemala provide short-term surgical, medical and dental care while working to improve the economic and educational conditions of the indigenous Mayan people. My niece, Terry, spends several weeks in Guatemala each year as part of the volunteer mission.

My niece, Terry Estes, the Pied Piper, with her following.

Terry's husband in the pharmacy in Guatemala.

Women and children waiting for free medical care in Guatemala.

“Lawrence and I have been involved with Faith in Practice for seven years.  We recently completed fifteen village trips and one surgery trip to Guatemala.  We are the team administrators and usually work in the pharmacy.  Preparation for a team begins many months in advance by ordering all the medications, pre-packing them in doses, then organizing them into trunks for transport to Guatemala. We are constantly recruiting team doctors, nurses and translators.  Volunteers pay their own way, and all donations are used to purchase medications, surgery for the patients, and transportation for the patients in remote areas.  We see around 2,500 patients during a typical village trip.  The patients are tiny, Mayan Indians.  Their need is real and the poverty is extreme.”

To make a donation:

www.faithinpractice.org

• Click on giving.
• Click on STM (share the mission) donations.
• STM volunteer number  4891
• Team number 223
• Add the amount that you want to donate.

It's very easy!!!  All donations are greatly appreciated.